"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Alfie?" his mother asked him as she and Alfie's Dad were headed out the door. "It's a folk music concert I bet you'd really enjoy."

Question

"That's alright, Mom. I think I'd rather stay home and watch a movie. You guys have a good time, though."
Alfie watched out the window as his parents drove away. His big sister Meg was upstairs doing her homework, and the house felt mighty quiet. Alfie got a soda from the fridge and then stood looking at all the stuff his family had tacked on the fridge door. There, front and center, was the "schedule" his mom kept of who had to be where and when. Alfie's name was only on it once—for his dental checkup. Meg's name was all over it, with her violin lessons, mostly—she was serious about the violin thing, even applying to music schools for college. The rest of the schedule was filled with concerts and plays and art gallery openings Alfie's parents were always going to.
Wow, Alfie thought as he glanced over the schedule. They're gone almost every night of the week! A feeling he did not like was creeping up on him. He was starting to wonder if he was boring because he didn't like to always be doing things. His idea of a good time was kicking back with a video of one of his favorite action movies and maybe munching on a bowl of popcorn. If he was feeling social, he might invite a friend over, but that was about it. Just as he was starting to feel that he must be too boring for even his parents to hang out with, the door opened and there was his dad.
"Did you forget something?" Alfie asked.
His dad smiled. "Yeah—you! We got about halfway there and decided we've been away from home too much lately. We'd much rather spend the evening with our number-one son. Started that movie yet?"
"You're just in time," Alfie beamed, and went to the kitchen to make the popcorn.
3

Answer 1

As the popcorn popped, Alfie felt a wave of relief wash over him. It was nice to know that his parents still wanted to spend time with him, even when they had so many other commitments. He poured the freshly popped corn into a big bowl and sprinkled some salt on top, doing his best to make it just right.

His dad settled onto the couch, and soon enough, Alfie joined him, popcorn in hand. They picked a movie together—one of Alfie's all-time favorites about a group of unlikely heroes on a high-stakes adventure.

"Hey, Dad," Alfie said as he settled into the cushions. "Do you think I should pick up any hobbies or something? Meg is always busy with her violin and all the concerts. I feel like I should be doing more."

His dad paused, considering the question. "You know, Alfie, there's nothing wrong with enjoying your downtime. Everyone's different. Some folks like to be out and about, while others prefer a peaceful night in. What matters is that you’re doing what makes you happy."

Alfie smiled, his worries easing a little. “But what if I’m missing out on something awesome?”

“You can always explore new things,” his dad replied. “If you find something you’re interested in—like sports, art, or even music—you should give it a shot. Just remember: it’s okay to enjoy your downtime too. Finding balance is important.”

They settled into the movie, laughing and cheering at the screen's action-packed scenes. As they enjoyed the popcorn and each other's company, Alfie realized he was where he wanted to be—right here, watching a movie with his dad. The thought that he needed to fill his schedule with constant activities felt a little silly now.

Later, as the credits rolled and they both leaned back, satisfied, Alfie felt grateful. It didn’t matter if he wasn’t out at a concert or a play every night. What mattered was that he had these moments with his family, and that felt pretty special.

“Same time next week?” his dad asked with a grin.

“You bet!” Alfie replied, already looking forward to it.